Phototherapeutic Method and Apparatus

Abstract

A method of skin rejuvenation involves subjecting the skin to a first course of phototherapeutic treatment using non-laser near-infrared light over a period of between 3 days and 2 weeks; subjecting the skin to a second course of phototherapeutic treatment using non-laser red light over a period of between 1 and 5 weeks; and subjecting the skin to a third course of phototherapeutic treatment using non-laser near-infrared light over a period of between 1 and 10 weeks. The different courses are designed to stimulate inflammation, proliferation and remodelling phases in the skin. Another phototherapeutic method comprises subjecting an area to be treated to a first course of phototherapy using red and/or infrared light; treating the area; and subjecting the treated area to a second course of phototherapy using red or infrared light. The method may enhance an aesthetic treatment which relies on photothermolysis or mechanical damage. In another method, a course of phototherapy comprising discrete sessions of phototherapy, using red and infrared light separately, is used to improve wound healing.

1 . A method of phototherapy of a patient undergoing treatment of an area, comprising: a. prior to the treatment, subjecting the area to a first course of external phototherapy using red and/or infrared light; and b. subsequent to the treatment, subjecting the area to a second course of external phototherapy using red and/or infrared light. 
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first course comprises one or more discrete sessions of phototherapy. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the second course comprises one or more discrete sessions of phototherapy. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein each said session comprises phototherapy using substantially only red or substantially only infrared light. 
   
   
       5 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the treatment comprises an aesthetic treatment. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the aesthetic treatment comprises an invasive treatment. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the invasive treatment comprises surgery. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the aesthetic treatment comprises a non-invasive treatment. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the non-invasive treatment comprises photo-rejuvenation. 
   
   
       10 . A method of wound healing, comprising subjecting the wound to a first session of phototherapy with infrared light and a second, subsequent session of phototherapy with red light, wherein the interval between said first and second sessions is of at least eight hours' duration. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the interval is of approximately 2 days' duration. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  or  11 , further comprising subjecting the wound to one or more subsequent sessions of phototherapy with infrared light or red light, wherein the interval between each said session is of at least eight hours' duration. 
   
   
       13 . A method of cosmetic treatment of aged skin of a patient, comprising: subjecting the skin to a first course of phototherapeutic treatment using infrared light over a period of between 3 days and 2 weeks; and subjecting the skin to a second course of phototherapeutic treatment using red light over a period of at least one week. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the second course of phototherapeutic treatment last for a period of between 1 and 5 weeks. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  or  claim 14 , further comprising subjecting the skin to a third course of phototherapeutic treatment using infrared light over a period of at least 1 week. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the third course lasts for a period of no more than 10 weeks. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13  or  claim 14 , further comprising repeating said first course and second course. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13  or  claim 14 , further comprising repeating alternately said first and second courses. 
   
   
       19 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the red light is substantially monochromatic. 
   
   
       20 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the red light is non-laser light. 
   
   
       21 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the red light has a predominant wavelength within the range 600 to 700 run. 
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the red light has a predominant wavelength of approximately 633 nm. 
   
   
       23 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the infrared light is substantially monochromatic. 
   
   
       24 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the infrared light is non-laser light. 
   
   
       25 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the infrared light is near-infrared light. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the infrared light has a predominant wavelength within the range 780 to 880 nm. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the infrared light has a predominant wavelength within the range 800 to 910 nm. 
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 26  or  27 , wherein the infrared light has a predominant wavelength within the range 800 to 850 nm. 
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the infrared light has a predominant wavelength of approximately 830 run. 
   
   
       30 . The method of any one of  claims 13  to  29 , wherein the first course comprises a plurality of individual treatment sessions which take place on different days. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the first course comprises between one and seven treatment sessions per week. 
   
   
       32 . The method of any one of  claims 13  to  31 , wherein the second course comprises a plurality of individual treatment sessions which take place on different days. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the second course comprises between one and seven treatment sessions per week. 
   
   
       34 . The method of any one of  claims 13  to  33 , wherein the third course comprises a plurality of individual treatment sessions which take place on different days. 
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein the second course comprises between one and seven treatment sessions per week. 
   
   
       36 . The method of any one of  claims 30  to  35 , wherein each said treatment session lasts from 2 to 60 minutes. 
   
   
       37 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the intensity of the red light is between 1 and 150 mW/cm<2>. 
   
   
       38 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the intensity of the infrared light is between 1 and 150 mW/cm<2>. 
   
   
       39 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the near-infrared light is generated by a plurality of light emitting diodes. 
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the light-emitting diodes are arranged in one or more arrays arranged to provide substantially uniform illumination of the skin. 
   
   
       41 . The method of any preceding claim, wherein the red light is generated by a plurality of light emitting diodes. 
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41 , wherein the light-emitting diodes are arranged in one or more arrays arranged to provide substantially uniform illumination of the skin. 
   
   
       43 . A method of skin rejuvenation, comprising subjecting the skin to infrared and red non-laser light over respective periods of time selected so as to invoke inflammation, proliferation, and remodelling phases in the skin. 
   
   
       44 . A phototherapeutic light source arranged to perform a method according to any preceding claim. 
   
   
       45 . The light source of  claim 44 , including a controller for controlling the duration, interval and/or wavelength of illumination by the light source so as to perform a method according to any one of  claims 1  to  43 . 
   
   
       46 . A computer program arranged to perform a method according to any one of  claims 1  to  43 . 
   
   
       47 . A computer program product embodying a computer program according to  claim 46 .